Grand Junction Central football hosts Palisade to highlight weekend’s state-wide radio lineup
The football season is has officially moved into Week 4 meaning that standings and RPI ratings are starting to take form.
Many teams are beginning to wrap up non-league play and will continue to look at non-league regional rivalry matchups. One prime example is on the Western Slope where Palisade hosts Grand Junction Central.
That game highlights this week’s slate of games that can be heard on radio broadcasts throughout the state.
(If any stations are interested in featuring their games in this weekly post, please send an email to dmohrmann@chsaa.org)
Grand Junction-Central at 3A (3) Palisade
Time: 7 p.m. kick
Station: The Team 1340
On the call: Reo Van Gilder (Play by play), Mick Zanski (Color)
Van Gilder on the matchup: The Warriors are looking for a three-game winning streak and earning a sweep of the Grand Valley teams (They beat Fruita Monument 13-9 on Aug. 31, then took down Grand Junction 33-6 last Friday). Their offense under Max Marsh is finally clicking, as is the running game with Anthony Zubiate. Palisade, meanwhile, continues to reload and roll right along with a bing win over Green Mountain. They’ve outscored their opponents 62-29 over the first two games, and are averaging over 300 yards per game on the ground. A fun clash of styles is in store Friday night.
Listen to the game on The Team 1340 or at theteam1340.com.
1A/2A: (1A 10) Buena Vista at (2A 9) Salida
Time: 7 p.m. kick
Station: Eagle Country 104
On the call: Caleb Burggraaf (Play by play), Bob Marken (Color)
Burggraaf on the matchup: The Demons are at No. 1 in the RPI in 1A and the Spartans are at No. 3 in the RPI in 2A. Both teams are undefeated coming into the game, and to top it all off, it is the homecoming game for the Spartans. Salida will be looking to use a strong defense which has held opponents to only 29 points in three games. Buena Vista is bringing an offense which has scored 67 points in two games, including a 41-27 win over 2A Cedaredge in last week’s game.
Listen to the game on eaglecountry104.com.
4A: Mesa Ridge at Coronado
Time: 7 p.m. kick
Station: XTRA Sports 1300
On the call: Ryan Kaufman (Play by play), Ryan Pelton (Color)
Kaufman on the matchup: This is a matchup between two teams that will want to run the football in order to take pressure off of their first year starting quarterbacks, Gabe Chapel for the Cougars and Kyle Gaster for the Grizzlies who each turned the football over twice last week. Coronado is focused on finishing drives better than they did a week ago against Lewis-Palmer. Head coach Monte Gutowski called their red zone issues “embarassing.” Mesa Ridge on the other hand is looking to score from anywhere on the field after getting shut out by Pueblo West. The X-factor in this game could be special teams as Coronado has had a kick or punt returned for a touchdown in each of their first two games.
Listen to the game on XTRA Sports 1300 or at xtrasports1300.com.
Highland at Valley
Time: 7 p.m. kick
Station: 1310 KFKA
On the call: Clark Johnson (Play by play), Mike Danson (Color)
Tanner Schwindt on the matchup: The Highland Huskies are coming off of a bye week and look to jump up a classification to take on The Valley Vikings. Ryan Burkholder and company look to make a statement win after a close loss to Manitou Springs last week.
Listen to the game on KFKA 1310 or at 1310kfka.com.
2A: (3) Platte Valley at (7) Eaton
Time: 6 p.m. kick (Saturday)
Station: 1310 KFKA
On the call: Clark Johnson (Play by play), Mike Danson (Color)
Tanner Schwindt on the matchup: The rivalry is back! Eaton knocked off Platte Valley in the quarterfinals last year and after a 2-0 start the Reds are going to try to defend their home turf against a very hungry Broncos team.
Listen to the game on KFKA 1310 or at 1310kfka.com.
6-man: (4) Peetz at (1) Stratton/Liberty
Time: 2 p.m. kick (Saturday)
Station: KAT Country 98.3 and katcountry983.com
On the call: Marc Romero
Romero on the matchup: The rematch of last year’s 6-man state championship game (and Stratton’s Homecoming Game) finds 1-1 Peetz coming off a big win over Fleming last week, and 2-0 Stratton/Liberty seemingly still putting up points after notching 66 and 72 in their first two games. The Bulldogs are still looking for consistency in the passing game, but in the meantime have already rushed for 342 yards per game with 10 ground scores.
Listen to the game on KAT Country 98.3 or at katcountry983.com.
